The US State Department announced that Israeli and Lebanese delegations have agreed to extend the ceasefire for 45 days. The truce, which took effect in April, has significantly reduced the volume of fighting, but violations remain common, particularly in southern Lebanon.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump have called on Iran to enter negotiations and keep key shipping routes open. Merz stated after a phone call with Trump that both leaders agreed on key points regarding the war in Iran, emphasizing that Iran must come to the negotiating table and not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

The Israeli military ordered residents of five villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of expected strikes against Hezbollah, despite the existing ceasefire. The US-brokered talks in Washington continue amid ongoing hostilities.

The United Arab Emirates has accelerated construction of an oil pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, with completion expected by 2027. The project aims to secure export routes amid regional instability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran welcomes China's assistance in resolving the Middle East conflict, highlighting the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Palestinians are marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, which saw the displacement of around 750,000 Palestinians in 1948. The current fragile ceasefire in Gaza does little to ease the humanitarian crisis.

Source: www.dw.com